MLB The Show 25’s New Features Mean Defense Should Matter More

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Stepping onto Vanderbilt’s famous golden field, I feel the weight of expectation. Scouts are here, and this is my chance to move up their draft lists. I settle into third base, focused and prepared. There’s a runner on first, one out, as the pitcher takes position on the mound. The hitter connects with the opening fastball; the sound of his metal bat echoes sharply. The ball shoots along the third-base line, too swift for me to catch with my glove. As the left fielder pursues the ball in the corner, the runner from first is nearing second. I adjust my position between the left fielder and the catcher. The runner reaches third as the outfielder throws the ball. I intercept it, spin, and aim for the catcher’s mitt just beyond the runner before tossing…

During our visit to Sony’s San Diego studio, where we met the creators of MLB The Show 25, some truly exciting moments took place. We were given a detailed look at all the new features coming in the upcoming version of this popular baseball simulation game. From innovative gameplay tweaks, expanded single- and multiplayer modes for Diamond Dynasty, improvements to free agency, and more, it’s clear that there’s plenty of action both on and off the field. Time to step up to the plate!

On the diamond

2021’s enhancements kick off on the playing field. The new ‘Ambush Hitting’ feature introduces a tactical aspect of batting based on real-world strategies. According to Chris Gill, Gameplay Director at Sony Diego and a former minor leaguer with the Cincinnati Reds, skilled hitters capitalize on scouting and recognizing tendencies, adapting to anticipate specific pitches. In-game, this translates to being able to selectively focus on pitches located either inside or outside of the strike zone. The chosen side receives an expansion in both the effective hitting area and timing window, while the neglected side contracts. This allows a pitcher who relies heavily on a particular finishing move (such as my preferred fastball, an up-and-in offering) to consider altering their approach when facing a hitter familiar with their tactics. On the other hand, if a pitcher has been consistently targeting the strike zone, they might catch the batter off guard with an off-target pitch. This kind of back-and-forth gameplay makes each at-bat feel like a battle of wits as much as a test of skill.

The defense is undergoing its own set of improvements, as per Gill’s plans. The aim was to increase the significance of defensive play. Last season, attention was paid to how outfielders responded to airborne balls. This season, however, the emphasis has shifted towards infielders and their initial steps during transitions. While they already had a statistic for measuring reaction speed, it’s often the first step that distinguishes an average from a superior defender. Are they swift and fluid, moving precisely where they need to go? Or do they pause, stutter, and lose valuable fractions of seconds? This minor difference can transform a play from routine for one fielder to challenging or impossible for another—possibly turning a potential out into a hit. This, in turn, could lead to constructing a team around preventing runs, instead of just stacking the lineup with power hitters.

In games like Road to the Show, you’ll notice an increase in quick-time events that mimic crucial game situations. For instance, if a ball is in the dirt with runners on base, the catcher may have the chance to shine as a hero or witness a loss. Corner infielders will also face challenges such as cleanly fielding powerful line drives or accurately cutting off throws. A novel feature introduced is the swim move for baserunners. During close plays when diving for a base, there’s now a brief chance to stretch out one hand and quickly retract it to evade the tag before sliding in safely, similar to Fernando Tatis Jr.’s style. While this move looks impressive in action, it remains uncertain how frequently it will occur or how challenging it will be to execute at higher difficulty levels.

Return of the Negro Leagues

A distinctive aspect of The Show is the Storylines mode, which highlights the history of the Negro Leagues. Blending elements of a mini-documentary and a gaming experience, this mode presents engaging tales about legendary figures and athletes from the past, narrated by Bob Kendrick, the captivating president of the Negro Leagues museum.

This year, Ramon Russell, who heads Storylines, has announced that James “Cool Papa” Bell and Wilbur “Bullet Joe” Rogan will be the main attractions. Known as one of the fastest professional baseball players, if not the fastest, Cool Papa Bell is a legendary figure. Before Shohei Ohtani became renowned for his exceptional pitching and batting skills, there was Bullet Joe Rogan who excelled in both areas. Both Bell and Rogan are prominent figures from the Negro Leagues. According to Ramon, just like previous seasons of the Negro Leagues, the aim is to combine well-known stars with lesser-known but equally talented players. The team this year will consist of eight players, with some becoming available at launch, followed by more being added two weeks later, and the rest added two weeks after that.

Just like previously, each player will once again have vignettes narrated by Kendrick, intertwined with pivotal game moments from their career. The intrigue and excitement we experienced in the last two versions remains, and it’s evident why delving deeper into baseball history is so captivating. The authenticity of the mode is further heightened by era-specific uniforms, equipment, stadiums, and crowds. Sometimes, the development team can secure the actual equipment to replicate it in-game. Other times, they conduct extensive research, examining faded or colorless photographs, flyers, and even bobbleheads to ensure every detail is accurate.

Franchise focus

In contrast to many other sports, baseball has a particularly busy offseason filled with extensive farm systems, intricate player finance and team control regulations, and a lengthy draft process. Last year’s focus was primarily on scouting and the draft, but this season, free agency is drawing significant attention. Instead of spending each day examining your list of requirements, as in past versions of The Show, you now select three top prospects from your priority list to target. This mirrors real-life baseball scenarios, where events like the Juan Soto trade negotiations take center stage early on, and teams must decide whether they are participating or switching to alternative strategies right away.

In Major League Baseball (MLB), not all teams are equally appealing to free agents, and merely extending offers isn’t enough to attract top talent. This idea is encapsulated by the concept of ‘Motivation,’ which measures a player’s interest in joining your team. Factors such as competition for their position can lower their motivation, while playing for a championship-contending team can boost it. Your three prime targets are listed according to priority, and their Motivation will gradually increase each week, with higher-priority players experiencing greater growth. Once their Motivation exceeds 50%, you may make an offer. You could wait until their Motivation is even higher, improving your chances of securing them at a lower cost, but this increases the risk of another team signing them first. Additionally, it’s crucial to avoid offering an amount that might be perceived as insulting and negatively impact their Motivation.

Of course, other teams will also aim to acquire talent, which is where the speculation arises. You’ll often hear whispers about who else might be on their radar. Whether you choose to rely on such information and make a move is your call. If a major market team is chasing after your free agent, it could be wise to reconsider your investment and redirect those resources. Conversely, if your rival division team is trying to sign a top player, it might be strategic to up the ante and secure that player for yourself.

The value assigned to players is undergoing a readjustment as well, influencing both contracts and trades. There’s a stronger focus on defense that raises the worth of top-tier defenders. Meanwhile, exceptional talents such as Shohei Ohtani have become the recipients of unprecedented deals and trade compensation that truly reflect their value in the game. Similarly, star players who reach free agency can redefine the market for others at their position, causing other players’ contracts to change accordingly. The goal is to make the general manager’s and player’s reasoning more consistent with baseball economics, thereby making the simulation feel more realistic.

Diamond Dynasty

In MLB The Show, I mostly engage with the live-service mode called Diamond Dynasty. I’ve never been fond of the Sets and Seasons model, where cards are available for limited times before becoming obsolete for ranked play, replaced by new ones. I was pleased when it was announced that this system would be phased out, allowing cards to no longer have an expiration date. However, it doesn’t mean they’re completely reverting Diamond Dynasty to its original form; popular ways to earn cards over the past few years will still be available, hopefully striking a balance between cards becoming obsolete and building strong rosters taking too long.

In simpler terms, Diamond Quest is a fresh, solo gaming journey with elements similar yet distinct from Conquest. While Conquest blends aspects of baseball and strategy games such as Risk, Diamond Quest leans towards deck building and roguelike mechanics. Each playthrough positions you on a board with a set layout, and the roll of a die moves you to tiles that may contain benefits for easier gameplay, drawbacks making it harder, or challenges like mini-games or tense moments requiring quick decision-making. Boss fights offer a balance between reward and risk; success rewards card packs, whereas failure ends your play session, resetting the board with rearranged tiles.

The main objective is to reach the designated stadiums shown on the map and ultimately emerge victorious from the last decisive clash, giving you a shot at claiming one of the elite prize offerings known as Exclusive Chance rewards. Increasing the level of difficulty will enhance your chances of receiving premium rewards, but feel free to replay the stage multiple times in hopes of hitting it lucky with your loot drops. As time goes by, additional stages will be incorporated with unique rewards, some of which may have specific themes that necessitate tailoring your team accordingly. For instance, you might need to assemble a squad consisting only of right-handed players or cap the number of power hitters, resulting in intriguing roster configurations.

On the other hand, Weekend Classic represents our latest condensed competitive format. Unlike Ranked Seasons, which span several weeks, these events conclude within a few days. The primary goal is to offer a quicker gaming experience that’s accessible to anyone, regardless of their competitive gaming background. Teams engage in six matches, each one determined by their skill level. Winning more games rewards you with better prizes. Upon completion of the six matches, you are placed on a 100-team leaderboard, which is also based on your skills, providing an opportunity to boost your standing and collect even greater rewards. Essentially, this should appeal to dedicated competitive players as well as those who usually don’t participate in head-to-head games, offering them a chance to test the waters with a lower time commitment. Of course, the success of these matches will depend heavily on their balance, but it’s an intriguing concept.

On the road again

The major modification in Road to the Show (RTTS) is incorporating the aspect of amateur baseball. As explained by Steve Merka, Game Director for RTTS, your professional journey now commences in high school, where you have an opportunity to exhibit your skills and secure a spot in one of eight diverse college programs such as LSU, TCU, and Texas. The authenticity is evident with the accurate replication of uniforms and the distinctive sound of the aluminum bat striking a baseball. Merka reveals that there are two paths to realize your MLB dream: you can forgo college and climb through the minor leagues from the ground up, or you can concentrate on refining your talents in college, strive to win a championship, and aim to be the top pick in the draft.

The system for player advancement is undergoing some changes, too. Earlier, attribute improvements were solely dependent on your performance in actual games or related exercises. For instance, to enhance your power-hitting skills, you needed to hit for power, and to become more agile on the bases, you had to steal them. Now, it’s moving towards a token-based system, giving you the freedom to upgrade any attribute of your choice. Additionally, you can acquire permanent advantages by excelling in crucial situations, such as boosting your exit velocity for batter balls at specific counts. While I have some reservations that the progression might feel more like playing an RPG instead of a baseball simulation, I remain hopeful that this change will offer greater flexibility, allowing me to nurture a contact-focused player into a formidable power hitter.

One aspect I’m still uncertain about is the adjustable first-person perspective. With a simple click, you can change from the traditional third-person view to seeing through your character’s eyes. It’s convenient and user-friendly, yet whenever I tried to play in this mode, it became significantly harder for me to keep track of the action and anticipate the ball’s movement. While additional features are generally beneficial, it remains unclear if this new feature will enhance immersion or merely serve as a redundant novelty.

In summary, the fresh release of MLB The Show offers numerous innovations. From novel gameplay aspects, exciting new modes, and another installment in the engaging Negro Leagues Storylines, it’s evident they’re aiming for significant advancements. However, we’ll have to wait a bit longer to see how many of these improvements connect.

MLB The Show 25 releases on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on March 18.

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2025-03-14 03:41